Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge
Free Tudor museum in Chingford, in a hunting lodge built for Henry VIII in 1543, with Tudor kitchen displays and views over Epping Forest.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge stands at the edge of Epping Forest in Chingford. It was built in 1543 for Henry VIII and later renovated on the orders of Elizabeth I. The medieval building is Grade II* listed and is managed by the City of London Corporation, which also looks after Epping Forest.
Today the lodge is a free museum over three floors. The ground floor shows a Tudor kitchen with sights and sounds and a food display designed to engage several senses. Visitors can climb the shallow wooden stairs to the upper floors and hunt for the carpenters' marks left by the builders almost 500 years ago. From the top floor there are views across the forest.
The lodge is next to the Epping Forest Visitor Centre, and Butler's Retreat café is close by. The City of London also runs sensory days and other events here, and the lodge is licensed for civil ceremonies.
Highlights
- Tudor hunting lodge built in 1543 for Henry VIII
- Tudor kitchen with sights, sounds and a multi-sensory food display
- Carpenters' marks left by the original builders
- Views over Epping Forest from the top floor
- Free entry, next to the Chingford Visitor Centre
Permanent exhibitions
- Tudor kitchen and food display – A ground-floor display with the sights and sounds of a Tudor kitchen and a multi-sensory look at Tudor food.
- Upper floors and carpenters' marks – Visitors can look for the marks left by the Tudor carpenters and enjoy views of the forest from the top floor.
- Founded
- 1895
- Operated by
- City of London Corporation
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Private tour (booked in advance) | £5Per person, adults and children |
|---|
Entry is free. Private tours cost £5 per person and must be booked in advance.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ground floor has level access. The upper floors are reached by shallow wooden stairs with a handrail, and a folder describes the upstairs displays for visitors who cannot climb. Accessible toilets are on the ground floor at the café and at the Visitor Centre next door. A hearing loop, magnifying glass and plain-English displays are available, and BSL interpretation is provided at selected events. Two disabled parking bays are at the Visitor Centre car park.
Kids & families
Visitors can hunt for carpenters' marks, see and hear a Tudor kitchen and take in the forest views from the top floor. Tudor dressing-up clothes are currently unavailable.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Chingford station · 10-min walk
Chingford station (London Overground) is about a 10-minute walk. Several bus routes serve Chingford station.
By car
Parking available
The Visitor Centre has a small car park with two disabled bays and three standard bays. Four larger car parks are nearby: Barn Hoppitt, Warren Pond, Chingford Plain and Connaught Water. Fees are listed on the City of London car parking page.
- Accessible parking
The lodge is next to the Chingford Visitor Centre on Rangers Road. Use the TfL Journey Planner to plan public transport.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Refreshments are available at Butler's Retreat, reached by a resin-bonded path, with seating around the building. The Visitor Centre next door has a gift shop and public toilets.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 40 guests.
The lodge is licensed for marriages and civil ceremonies for up to 40 guests. Enquiries: EppingForestWeddings@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School and educational visits are arranged through the learning team (epping.learning@cityoflondon.gov.uk). Visits sometimes take place during term time, so call ahead. Sensory days and events are announced on Eventbrite when they run. |
